Policeman named 'Officer of the Year' suspected of drug dealing

Charged: officer David Britto is accused of conspiring to sell more than 500 grams of methamphetamines between June 2009 and March 2011

An officer considered a role model by peers is facing a possible life sentence if found guilty of conspiring to sell drugs.

David Britto, 28, was charged with conspiring to sell more than 500 grams of methamphetamines.

He is accused of peddling the drugs between June 2009 and March 2011 on Tuesday.

The officer stationed with Boynton Beach police department, Florida won the force's highest honour in 2010, being named 'Officer of the Year'.

He earned the award after using CPR to save a two-year old girl who
almost drowned in the family’s pool and helping to identify a man
suspected of shooting two street preachers.

The U.S.Attorney’s
Office and the Drug Enforcement Administration announced the indictment
and said an internal investigation was under way.

In a statement, Chief Matthew Immler said: 'The Boynton Beach Department vigorously polices itself, and this case is an example of how law enforcement roots out corruption from within its own ranks.'

The prosecution case centres on Britto's involvement in a drug conspiracy.

Rafael Guedes, 25, was arrested by Drug Enforcement Administration agents on March 4 in Miami.

Agents wrote in court records that they received a tip that Guedes, who also is known as Juan Carlos Sanchez, was a narcotics trafficker.

They began watching Guedes and another man, Marlon Mayoli, who was also later arrested, and searched a Mercedes-Benz that was found to contain a large amount of cash and some drugs. They also found a .38-caliber handgun.

Guedes and Mayoli both pleaded guilty in early June to the lesser crime of conspiring to possess methamphetamine with intent to distribute and to possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

They are to be sentenced in August.

DEA special agent in charge, Mark Trouville, said the decision to deal drugs while
carrying a badge was not only a breach of the law enforcement oath 'but a
community tragedy as well'.

Role Model: David Britto receiving 'Officer of the Year' award may face a life sentence if found guilty of conspiring to sell drugs